Common Name: Eastern garter snake


Scientific Name: thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis


Basic Information about the Species: Slender, scales keeled, which makes the skin rough in appearance and to the touch. Can be confused with its relative the ribbon snake, though the garter snake's head is wider. Color and pattern vary; though it is always striped it can also be blotched or spotted. In Florida it is typicallyblue-green with light stripes, and black spots arranged in rows. It is almost always found near water, where it feeds on toads and frogs, fish, and other small aquatic animals. It releases musk and tries to bite if captured. It is one of the few snakes in Florida that gives birth to live young. It can be up to 4 feet long. It's predator's are the Red-tailed hawk,Striped skunk,Northern water snake,Black rat snake,Common snapping turtle,Racccoon and a Virginia opossum.Thier prey are rats,mice,and other rodents.

Habitat: Woods, fields, towns. Ranges throughout the state.

References: National Audobon Society's Field Guide to Florida, by Peter Alden et al., Chanticleer Press, 1998

Florida's Fabulous Reptiles and Amphibians, by Pete Charmichael and Winston Williams, World Publications, 2006

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/Thamnophisssirtalis.htm